ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE IS A SERIOUS TREAT! WHY IS ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE A PROBLEM?
BURDEN OF ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
The term "antimicrobial "is a general one that refers to a group of drugs that includes antibiotics, anti fungals, antiprotozals, and anti viral. An antimicrobial is an agent that kills microorganisms or stops their growth. They can be grouped as above according to the microorganisms they act primarily against. For example, antibiotics are used against bacteria.
The word "Resistance" means the ability not to be affected by something. In other words, it is a force which acts to stop the progress of something or make it slower.
Therefore, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the lack of sensitivity develop by microbes to an antimicrobial agent designed to kill or stop their growth especially due to prolonged exposure i.e overuse which leads to continous growth and spread of microorganism. For example, the overuse of antibiotics makes it more common. The more we use antibiotics, the more chances bacteria have to become resistant to them. The bacteria survive and continue to multiply causing more harm.
According to WHO "Antimicrobial resistance is the ability of a microorganism (like bacteria, viruses, and some parasites) to stop an antimicrobial (Such as antibiotics, antiviral and antimalarials) from working against it. As a result, standard treatments become ineffective, infections persist and may spread to others. (Newsletter no 32-november 2017).
Antimicrobial resistance is a serious threat to global public that requires action across all government sectors and society. "A lack of effective antibiotics is as serious as a security threat as a sudden and deadly disease outbreak". (Dr Tedros Shanon. G, Director -General of WHO). A new WHO report shows a serious lack of new antibiotics under development to combat the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance. Also, the report finds that very few potential treatment options for those antimicrobial resistance infections identified by WHO as posing the greatest threat to health, including drug resistant tuberculosis and other 12 classes of priority pathogens identified by WHO.
WHY IS ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE A PROBLEM?
The problems associated with antimicrobial resistance are not limited to the fact that the organisms are virulent but rather it is in the sense of causing infections more difficult to treat effectively and thereby having more consequences. (Alfred De Marie, clinical chemistry, vol 58,issue8, 8 August 2012). Infections caused by antimicrobial resistant organisms also may require toxic therapy that can lead to adverse outcomes.
It can lead to increased human illness, suffering and death.
Increase cost and length of cost of treatment.
Increase side effects from the use of multiple and more powerful medications.
Nevertheless, healthy lifestyle habits, including proper diet, exercise, and sleeping patterns as well as good hygiene such as frequent hand washing can help prevent illness, therefore also preventing the overuse or misuse of antimicrobial. Hence, preventing antimicrobial resistance. Antibiotics must be prescribed only for bacterial infections and in the proper dose for the correct amount of time.
Jimoh Alimat (RN)
The term "antimicrobial "is a general one that refers to a group of drugs that includes antibiotics, anti fungals, antiprotozals, and anti viral. An antimicrobial is an agent that kills microorganisms or stops their growth. They can be grouped as above according to the microorganisms they act primarily against. For example, antibiotics are used against bacteria.
The word "Resistance" means the ability not to be affected by something. In other words, it is a force which acts to stop the progress of something or make it slower.
Therefore, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the lack of sensitivity develop by microbes to an antimicrobial agent designed to kill or stop their growth especially due to prolonged exposure i.e overuse which leads to continous growth and spread of microorganism. For example, the overuse of antibiotics makes it more common. The more we use antibiotics, the more chances bacteria have to become resistant to them. The bacteria survive and continue to multiply causing more harm.
According to WHO "Antimicrobial resistance is the ability of a microorganism (like bacteria, viruses, and some parasites) to stop an antimicrobial (Such as antibiotics, antiviral and antimalarials) from working against it. As a result, standard treatments become ineffective, infections persist and may spread to others. (Newsletter no 32-november 2017).
Antimicrobial resistance is a serious threat to global public that requires action across all government sectors and society. "A lack of effective antibiotics is as serious as a security threat as a sudden and deadly disease outbreak". (Dr Tedros Shanon. G, Director -General of WHO). A new WHO report shows a serious lack of new antibiotics under development to combat the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance. Also, the report finds that very few potential treatment options for those antimicrobial resistance infections identified by WHO as posing the greatest threat to health, including drug resistant tuberculosis and other 12 classes of priority pathogens identified by WHO.
WHY IS ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE A PROBLEM?
The problems associated with antimicrobial resistance are not limited to the fact that the organisms are virulent but rather it is in the sense of causing infections more difficult to treat effectively and thereby having more consequences. (Alfred De Marie, clinical chemistry, vol 58,issue8, 8 August 2012). Infections caused by antimicrobial resistant organisms also may require toxic therapy that can lead to adverse outcomes.
It can lead to increased human illness, suffering and death.
Increase cost and length of cost of treatment.
Increase side effects from the use of multiple and more powerful medications.
Nevertheless, healthy lifestyle habits, including proper diet, exercise, and sleeping patterns as well as good hygiene such as frequent hand washing can help prevent illness, therefore also preventing the overuse or misuse of antimicrobial. Hence, preventing antimicrobial resistance. Antibiotics must be prescribed only for bacterial infections and in the proper dose for the correct amount of time.
Jimoh Alimat (RN)
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